9 linked to Makati demolition violence face raps

ABS-CBN News

MANILA, Philippines – The city government of Makati is planning to file charges against 9 people, including the community leader of Guatemala Compound in Makati, for using violence to stop yesterday's demolition.

At least 16 people, 9 of whom were policemen, were injured during Monday's violent demolition.

Makati Mayor Jejomar "Junjun" Binay Jr. said informal settlers used bottles and other hard objects to repel a team from implementing the demolition order. He said the settlers were informed as early as June that they needed to vacate the area in 30 days.

Ojos admitted that the residents, some of whom have settled in the area as early as the 70s, do not own the land. However, they are asking the government to give it to them.

The city government bought the land in the early 2000s after its owner encountered problems due to the growing number of informal settlers.

Makati now plans to turn the lot into a community center and a sports complex.

Binay said the city government in 2004 under his father, then mayor Jejomar Binay, had ordered the residents to vacate the area. He said the courts had already decided several times in favor of the city government.

The National Capital Region Police Office and the Commission on Human Rights, meanwhile, said they will conduct their respective investigations to determine whether the police committed some violations.

Ojos, for his part, said he is ready to face the charges, but insisted that he never ordered his fellow residents to use violence.